How can people afford such expensive stuff?

[rm5]

I'm just confused about how people (anyone) can afford super expensive gear, whatever it might be—computers, audio interfaces, sample libraries, etc. I understand that sometimes, the company they work for gives them the product, but I would imagine this doesn't happen all the time, or does it? How does one acquire something like a fairly specced-out 2019 Mac Pro, or something of the like? Or Pro Tools, too, which is a very expensive DAW if you go for the top-end version.

Personally, I feel like I've been criticized by some professionals for not having the most high-end stuff that they have. And to that, I always tell them that I make it work with whatever I have, which is true. And then I see videos, read articles, etc., and see everyone have all the high-end stuff, and then I feel kinda bad for not having it. I know this is very stupid, but as I'm getting more experienced in various fields, especially music production and film composing, I'm slightly worried about this. I used to be able to use the “I’m too young and so I can’t afford it” excuse, but I think that’s sort of “drying out” at this point, now that I’m gonna turn 18 tomorrow and people will treat me as such, not as a 14-year-old inexperienced producer, you know what I mean?

Thoughts?

 

[KaliYoni]

Thoughts?

Some personal factors include:

• Credit (credit cards, loans, other types of borrowing)
• Living beyond one's means
• Not saving or investing
• Diverting income from other types of spending (say, healthcare)

Some professional factors include:

• Tax treatment of gear bought to run a business
• Clients require a certain hardware and/or software setup
• Projecting a certain image to customers

----------
ETA: as for people buying top-shelf gear when their skills don't seem to match, I was reminded of this great quote about how bands can benefit from (seemingly excessive) recording budgets:

Although the largely self-produced 'Daydream Nation' was recorded for a paltry $30,000, that was twice as much money as the band had spent on any of its five other albums. According to Gordon, the extra production bucks "gave power to the songs. It's like buying credibility."
[Kim Gordon, Sonic Youth]

 

[MrCheeto]

You're 18. Of course we have all had this thought. I was homeless when I was 19 and now I have all kinds of "expensive" collections.

Here's how.

1. The older you get, the more you've invested into your self.
2. Priorities.

The first point goes like this. You start with a small credit line and keep it revolving and eventually banks will approve you for hundreds, then thousands, and then tens-of-thousands of dollars. Credit goes a long way in those big purchases. As well, I'm sure you understand that once you "pull the trigger" and get over that initial hump, it's easier to maintain. For instance: if you buy a car there is a big upfront payment. After that, you pay for fuel, insurance, and maintenance but those costs are never as burdening as the "cost of entry". Same thing when you buy a gun, buy a motorcycle, get a pilot's license, set up a home stereo, or start a home studio. Imagine each of these "points of entry" are spread out over years since generally nobody would do this all at once.

Secondly, people distribute their attention differently. I know several people that own motorcycles that are worth more than any car I've driven... but they are sitting on property (house) they bought over twenty-years ago and their truck was bought with 200k miles. My most expensive purchase price for a motorcycle is less than what I paid for the 16" MacBook Pro. Inversely, the guys riding the $75k motorcycles cringe at the thought of spending more than $200 for any laptop. Are they better than me or am I better than them? Trust me, it doesn't actually matter.

You should feel as adequate as your capabilities rather than your tools. I actually laugh when I recall this every time but I have gone to photoshoots with acquaintances and been surprised. They show up with cameras that... well just look up the price for a new Canon 1D and lenses with price tags that will shatter your reality. I show up with an old semi-basic digital camera and even a film camera that can be had for $30 and I won't be humble when I say I easily had the best results and spent the least amount of time with any developing software and never use editing software vs. their week-long edits to salvage a shot or two.

In the fields you mentioned, many people will be all ego and butt-kissing. They're scum. Just be above that.

Do you.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Live within your means and don't worry about what other people buy. Life is too short for being worried about what others think of you. Self worth is not tied to material objects.

 

[eyoungren]

I'm just confused about how people (anyone) can afford super expensive gear, whatever it might be—computers, audio interfaces, sample libraries, etc. I understand that sometimes, the company they work for gives them the product, but I would imagine this doesn't happen all the time, or does it? How does one acquire something like a fairly specced-out 2019 Mac Pro, or something of the like? Or Pro Tools, too, which is a very expensive DAW if you go for the top-end version.

Personally, I feel like I've been criticized by some professionals for not having the most high-end stuff that they have. And to that, I always tell them that I make it work with whatever I have, which is true. And then I see videos, read articles, etc., and see everyone have all the high-end stuff, and then I feel kinda bad for not having it. I know this is very stupid, but as I'm getting more experienced in various fields, especially music production and film composing, I'm slightly worried about this. I used to be able to use the “I’m too young and so I can’t afford it” excuse, but I think that’s sort of “drying out” at this point, now that I’m gonna turn 18 tomorrow and people will treat me as such, not as a 14-year-old inexperienced producer, you know what I mean?

Thoughts?

It's very simple for me.

I buy all this stuff 5-15 years (or more) after it was originally sold.

It's very easy to max your stuff out for pennies on the dollar, especially with stuff that wasn't being sold at the time for what you own. Making it all work is the payoff.

 

[MBAir2010]

I dont drive a car so I save mucho dinero in les Etas Unis so I can buy  things!

 

[eyoungren]

Secondly, people distribute their attention differently. I know several people that own motorcycles that are worth more than any car I've driven...

When I was in my mid to late 20s I worked with a guy around the same age. When he was a teen he spent all the cash he had to purchase a wrecked 25th Anniversary Ford Mustang. By the time I met him at work he'd had that car completely fixed, put in a supercharger and had a busload of custom mods.

That car was worth way more than the money and time he'd invested by that point.

 

[usagora]

I'm not sure what's so confusing about it. Many people have well-paying jobs and a LOT of disposable income. Or they may not have the best-paying job, but know how to save money, or are single, or have no children, or don't buy a lot of other less-expensive stuff that many of us do that adds up to a lot of money over time, etc. etc. Of course, some people have also inherited money.

 

[jeremysteele]

Fun fact - the majority of people carry a lot of debt. The average credit card debt in the US is $6,270 by some counts.

The majority of people live well beyond their means, whether by choice or by necessity.

Until the past 2-3 years I saved as much cash as possible despite having a "high paying job" for the better part of a decade. I am now well into my 30s and I am finally at the point where I buy things like fully loaded computers with petty cash, and zero stress.

Meanwhile many of my old friends buy all the new crap every year, despite have no money for necessary things like clothes or car repairs.

I would tell anyone to work on your own priorities first, then buy all the nice gadgets.

 

[MrCheeto]

The majority of people live well beyond their means, whether by choice or by necessity.

Neither. It is by design.

We just laid off a lot of people at my work because we have thoroughly streamlined everything. One of the guys to get cut had saved up thousands of dollars while he lived with his mom. I think he was not quite 30. Was he saving for a home? Nah. He got his self a (salvaged) Challenger with every badge on the fender. You have to wonder if this is the "natural logical conclusion" of our society or if somebody is working tirelessly every day to make people like this think that a Hemi is more important than having a life. All you have to do is turn on TV and try out the mainstream entertainment to see that it is an industry in itself to make people feel inadequate, personally confused and insecure.

 

[OldMacs4Me]

18 is still very young, definitely young enough to use as a shield against those who would criticize. Most of us fall was short of taking maximum advantage of the gear we have. When your tools start to limit what you are doing, then is the time to look at upgrading.

 

[Vref]

You’re a teen, so you got time to make good money, what I considered expensive when I was 18 is very different from what I consider expensive now

Two, it’s not really the gear, now good tools are worth their weight in gold, but once cry once and all that, but it’s much more the man behind the tool that determines the quality of the product, I can give a blank check for Apple stuff to a unoriginal person and they’ll still put out unoriginal work

Also in the age of credit, MANY people are living well beyond their means, so that guy who seems to have money, might just have credit and is one paycheck away from devastation


You’ll also find those who talk the most about money tend not to REALLY have it and/or are miserable inside

 

[Alameda]

Believe it or not, you are fortunate that you can't afford all of these expensive things at age 18.

You probably know kids your age who have brand new cars. Some may even have brand new BMW's that their parents bought them. But how can they find satisfaction in life if they don't experience the satisfaction of earning those things for yourself? If you work hard, you'll earn a good living and you'll be able to choose whether to buy these things or not. You'll get there. In the meanwhile, computers are so incredibly fast these days, do you really need a super-fast computer to do the work you need to do? In the professional world, you don't need to buy the very fastest system unless it pays for itself in higher productivity.

 

[eyoungren]

Believe it or not, you are fortunate that you can't afford all of these expensive things at age 18.

You probably know kids your age who have brand new cars. Some may even have brand new BMW's that their parents bought them. But how can they find satisfaction in life if they don't experience the satisfaction of earning those things for yourself? If you work hard, you'll earn a good living and you'll be able to choose whether to buy these things or not. You'll get there. In the meanwhile, computers are so incredibly fast these days, do you really need a super-fast computer to do the work you need to do? In the professional world, you don't need to buy the very fastest system unless it pays for itself in higher productivity.

I started a new school in 1986, 10th grade. One of the guys there had a brand new 1986 Camaro IROC-Z that his parents had bought him. Candy Apple Red, T-top. He was the GOAT around school.

I left that school for another at some point, but I did hear from friends that at some point he totalled that car. So his parents bought him another car (not the same kind). A few months later he totalled that one.

At this point I guess, his parents who had money, but were not super-rich had tapped out. He ended up driving his parents Suburban - which he totalled.

I suppose you could say he was a bad driver - but based on all that, I think he just felt entitled.

 

[RokinAmerica]

I am old, so I make a lot more money than I did in my child rearing years, and don't have kids to pay for anymore.

I can buy pretty much whatever I want.

Yet I drive my 2012 Tacoma with 230k miles on it. It drives like a dream and I will replace it if it becomes more expensive to fix than replace.

And I invested small, but early. I used my companies 401 (k) plan and when I do buy, it is because I have researched and make my purchases with long term in it as an integral part of the equation. So I may spend more, but I use it, and if computers, I use them hard for work. I don't game but I use mine like they were built to do, work and work hard.

When I was young, I couldn't afford to just buy what I wanted. So I figured out what I wanted and then figured out ways to make some cash and then saved until I could buy what I thought I needed. Patience is really a virtue.

 

[Vref]

I started a new school in 1986, 10th grade. One of the guys there had a brand new 1986 Camaro IROC-Z that his parents had bought him. Candy Apple Red, T-top. He was the GOAT around school.

I left that school for another at some point, but I did hear from friends that at some point he totalled that car. So his parents bought him another car (not the same kind). A few months later he totalled that one.

At this point I guess, his parents who had money, but were not super-rich had tapped out. He ended up driving his parents Suburban - which he totalled.

I suppose you could say he was a bad driver - but based on all that, I think he just felt entitled.

Wrecking 3 cars means you’re a pretty **** driver lol

First one, we’ll maybe it wasn’t his fault, wreck the second in short order and I’d take his license and give him a bus pass, wouldn’t even let him ride a bicycle

 

[rm5]

I've read through all your replies (after quite a chaotic run of the play tonight with half the mics dead and the antennas not plugged in properly...), and I just want to add something: I think the tricky thing obviously is that at my age, I have absolutely no idea what I'll be doing in 10 years, even 5 years. But I think the good thing is that I have lots of options—because I'm involved in both the music industry, but also the broadcast industry to some degree, running AV equipment for organizations. But I think the thing I'm slightly worried about is that I mentioned in the original post—working with more professionals, they expect me (to some extent) to have good equipment AND good sample libraries, too. But with the music industry being so competitive, I honestly don't know what will happen. So now is NOT a good time to be investing in such things, because the future is so uncertain.

My point being that you guys are right—I shouldn't necessarily be concerned about that aspect, because that will come naturally. I think the important thing right now is that I learn life skills, not try to acquire stuff that I might not even use in 5 years. For older people, it's sort of a "guarantee" at least from what I've seen—they buy equipment with intention, because they know they'll be using it (for the most part).

 

[MrCheeto]

Well that basically wraps it up.

 

[rm5]

Oh! One other thing I forgot to add in the original post: The professionals I've encountered who've lightly criticized me for not having the most high-end gear—that happened when I was about 14, and was taking a recording class through the university. Of course, he understood after I explained to him, but at this point, I've been producing for probably 6 years now (while at the time it was around 2 years). A producer who's been at it for 6 years, in my opinion, is far more experienced than a producer who's only been doing it for 2 years. People look at that stuff, trust me.

I know, I haven't been great at explaining myself in this thread, but I think this is what I really wanted to emphasize in the first place: What happens when someone requests a demo of my work, and it's not "up-to-par" with their standards? Of course, they're going to ditch me and get someone else. But how did that "someone else" become worthy of them? How did they "emerge" from being inexperienced? Obviously, they get opportunities, I know that, and I've gotten some of those opportunities myself. But then there's that "other part"... because there's no way it's just opportunities. It's the "other part" that I don't understand.

I don't know, maybe it has to do with the fact that I somehow haven't tried hard enough.

I hope I'm making sense—for some reason I'm having a lot of trouble explaining this...

 

[MrCheeto]

Risk.

The most successful people are the most risk-taking.

If you were that optimistic about a certain career, you’d trade every other small thing for the chance to be ready for your shot. If you feel your production is missing one thing, and you sincerely feel it rather than just feeling insecure or judged, then you should aim for whatever that is. That may not mean buying but adjusting or practicing whatever it is. Are you really limited by your tools?

If you want to know how little cost but high dedication and talent is involved in success in creative fields, you really need to look at artists like Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, Jewel, and Daniel Bedingfield. I’m not exaggerating when I say they embody what you’re saying about not having a lot but making it work. Maybe they made one expensive purchase, Reason and a PC for Daniel Bedingfield (no really, he recorded his hit song in his bedroom), and a synth for O.M.D., but the quality of their art made more than the sum of said parts.

 

[Vref]

Oh! One other thing I forgot to add in the original post: The professionals I've encountered who've lightly criticized me for not having the most high-end gear—that happened when I was about 14, and was taking a recording class through the university. Of course, he understood after I explained to him, but at this point, I've been producing for probably 6 years now (while at the time it was around 2 years). A producer who's been at it for 6 years, in my opinion, is far more experienced than a producer who's only been doing it for 2 years. People look at that stuff, trust me.

I know, I haven't been great at explaining myself in this thread, but I think this is what I really wanted to emphasize in the first place: What happens when someone requests a demo of my work, and it's not "up-to-par" with their standards? Of course, they're going to ditch me and get someone else. But how did that "someone else" become worthy of them? How did they "emerge" from being inexperienced? Obviously, they get opportunities, I know that, and I've gotten some of those opportunities myself. But then there's that "other part"... because there's no way it's just opportunities. It's the "other part" that I don't understand.

I don't know, maybe it has to do with the fact that I somehow haven't tried hard enough.

I hope I'm making sense—for some reason I'm having a lot of trouble explaining this...

So a grown man gave a 14yr old crap for not having expensive gear? Lol

If I was there I legit would have pointed and laughed at him, what a idiot ba ha ha ha ha


If you’re in the arts, seems it’s the skills and people skills that will make or break you, don’t think what series of Apple is going to make a difference

 

[I7guy]

Some personal factors include:

• Credit (credit cards, loans, other types of borrowing)
• Living beyond one's means
• Not saving or investing
• Diverting income from other types of spending (say, healthcare)

Some professional factors include:

• Tax treatment of gear bought to run a business
• Clients require a certain hardware and/or software setup
• Projecting a certain image to customers

----------
ETA: as for people buying top-shelf gear when their skills don't seem to match, I was reminded of this great quote about how bands can benefit from (seemingly excessive) recording budgets:

Although the largely self-produced 'Daydream Nation' was recorded for a paltry $30,000, that was twice as much money as the band had spent on any of its five other albums. According to Gordon, the extra production bucks "gave power to the songs. It's like buying credibility."
[Kim Gordon, Sonic Youth]

Other personal factors include:
- trust funds
- well to do spouse
- family that is generous
- saved and/or invested wisely
- tax breaks

 

[Analog Kid]

I'm just confused about how people (anyone) can afford super expensive gear, whatever it might be—computers, audio interfaces, sample libraries, etc. I understand that sometimes, the company they work for gives them the product, but I would imagine this doesn't happen all the time, or does it? How does one acquire something like a fairly specced-out 2019 Mac Pro, or something of the like? Or Pro Tools, too, which is a very expensive DAW if you go for the top-end version.

Personally, I feel like I've been criticized by some professionals for not having the most high-end stuff that they have. And to that, I always tell them that I make it work with whatever I have, which is true. And then I see videos, read articles, etc., and see everyone have all the high-end stuff, and then I feel kinda bad for not having it. I know this is very stupid, but as I'm getting more experienced in various fields, especially music production and film composing, I'm slightly worried about this. I used to be able to use the “I’m too young and so I can’t afford it” excuse, but I think that’s sort of “drying out” at this point, now that I’m gonna turn 18 tomorrow and people will treat me as such, not as a 14-year-old inexperienced producer, you know what I mean?

Thoughts?

 

[Vref]

True to a point, but some folks like the crazy FIRE types get a little overboard with it


This also applies

I remember playing sports as a kid, 9/10 times the kid with the fancy kicks wasn’t close to the top player

 

[rm5]

Risk.

The most successful people are the most risk-taking.

If you were that optimistic about a certain career, you’d trade every other small thing for the chance to be ready for your shot. If you feel your production is missing one thing, and you sincerely feel it rather than just feeling insecure or judged, then you should aim for whatever that is. That may not mean buying but adjusting or practicing whatever it is. Are you really limited by your tools?

If you want to know how little cost but high dedication and talent is involved in success in creative fields, you really need to look at artists like Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, Jewel, and Daniel Bedingfield. I’m not exaggerating when I say they embody what you’re saying about not having a lot but making it work. Maybe they made one expensive purchase, Reason and a PC for Daniel Bedingfield (no really, he recorded his hit song in his bedroom), and a synth for O.M.D., but the quality of their art made more than the sum of said parts.

Absolutely! I think the other thing I need to think about is the fact that I admire and know personally, many people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, who are very experienced, which is great, because they've been great teachers. But I think I'm admiring them a little too much if you know what I mean—and then I think that I need what they have to be successful. It's taken those guys their whole career to get where they are now.

So I think I just figured out my problem—everything takes small steps; very rarely do you ever get these massive opportunities right out of the gate. I just need to remember that.

EDIT: As far as being limited by my tools, I'm not right now, but I will most likely be in 1-2 years.